Unit 3: VCE History Lenin’s Final Years and Legacy

Absolut Control Following the civil war Lenin began a purge of all party members who were critical of the communist leadership. The Cheka were given unquestioned authority and one-third of the party membership were expelled. Strong personalities like Alexandra Kollontai were removed or ‘liquidated’. Again Lenin was aiming for a system of ‘bureaucratic centralism’ in the Communist government. This political shift allowed Joseph Stalin to rise through the ranks to General Secretary by No radishes! Not a radish

Formation of the USSR The Treaty of Union in 1922 reunited six provinces of the former Russian empire, which became known as the USSR (Union of Soviet Socialist Republics). In 1922 the Cheka was abolished and replaced by the GPU (State Political Organisation) and in 1924 by the OGPU (Unified State Political Organisation). Dzerzhinsky remained leader and ice-picks a weapon of choice. U mad?

Lenin’s illness and death Lenin suffered two major strokes in 1922 and a third in March Due to his illness he avoided public attention but was visited by Politburo members like Stalin and Kamenev and he continued writing letters. Lenin eventually died on 21 January Trotsky got emotional, the people and postage stamps honoured his memory, Petrograd became Leningrad and his brain was taken away for further study. My work here is done, please take my brain

Lenin’s ‘Political Will’ Stability of the Central Committee. Maintain control of Stalin (who as Secretary General had unlimited authority) and Trotsky (who he described as ‘the most capable’ but also ‘self assured’ of the C.C.). That Bukharin was ‘valuable’ but not Marxist enough and that Pyatakov was ‘outstanding’ but too focused on administrative matters. He went on to suggest that Stalin be removed for being ‘too rude’. Bukharin’s cheeky grin Made him a hit with the ladies Pyatakov: Pen-pusher by day. Gangsta’ by night.

Key Debates about Lenin Lenin is a tyrant and Marxism is dumb. Dude’s a control freak. I’m not sure if he was pure or heartless Richard ‘Moses’ Malone He created totalitarianism. Thank you for Stalin, Mr Lenin, thanks a bunch. Richard ‘Pipesy’ Pipes Dmitri ‘The Volk’ Volkogonov As a busy man myself, I understand the pressure he was under. Just not enough time to get things done Mr ‘Steve’ Busy

More debates… Did Lenin’s personal life impact on his political life? YesNo ‘He was a spoilt child who was all about the womens’ – Robert Service ‘He was dedicated to the struggle’ – Orlando Figes Did Lenin really represent the proletariat? YesNo ‘Lenin was all about the party, power and privilege’ – The Volk and Pipesy Was Lenin a dictator? YesNo ‘He gave instructions, they merely carried them out’ – The Times ‘Power for Lenin was dictatorship, but he was flexible’ – The Volk

Debating is fun… Should Lenin’s use of terror discount his achievements? YesNo ‘He normalised terror and disguised it as revolution’ - The Volk ‘Lenin possessed humanness, he abolished a regime of despair and created a new world of hope’ – Christopher Hill Would Lenin’s rule have become more moderate if he had lived longer? YesNo ‘Only 13% of Lenin’s leadership was spent in peace so it is hard to tell. However, his late writings pleaded for less violence and more Marxist education’ – Richard ‘Moses’ Malone ‘Lenin was always profoundly hostile to the peasants’ – The Volk

Readings Richard Pipes – Reflections on the Russian RevolutionReflections on the Russian Revolution Mikhail Bulgakov – Heart of a DogHeart of a Dog Dmitri Volkogonov – From Stalinism to anti-CommunismFrom Stalinism to anti-Communism Orlando Figes – LinksLinks Vladimir Lenin – TestamentTestament Robert Service – A History of Modern RussiaA History of Modern Russia Some other things by Service Some kid – ‘Lenin: Liberator or Oppressor’‘Lenin: Liberator or Oppressor’ Richard Malone - HTAV Student LecturesHTAV Student Lectures